The Selection

Phoenix lives in a world where everyone has abilities, where the Elite have tight control of her life. Phoenix resents the Elite and before she knows it, she is joining the rebellion she never knew existed, leaving behind her family and everything she had worked on for years

1. Sweet dreams

Nerves were bubbling up inside of me when I woke up; I sat upwards and looked out of my window, and on the windowsill there was a bird singing its repetitive, melodic sound. I recognised it as a wonderfully bright blue bird that my mother had once told me about but its name had escaped my memory, like most memories of her... It took my mind off of today whilst I studied it absent mindlessly. It had gorgeous emerald green eyes that bore into me and my soul, mocking me, as if trying to tell me a story or a secret that I could never know... Then it flew away, its wings fluttered elegantly. In my peripheral vision I could see a figure stood by my door, watching me.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart."

"Good morning, Dad"

My father sat down next to me and whispered

"Are you nervous?" He put his arm around my shoulders and I curled into him. My father had broad shoulders due to his occupation, I had inherited his signature hazel eyes that look like they are flecked with gold and I even have to admit that they are intriguing if not beautiful. However I don't have his hair, I have my mother's dark brown wavy hair which was always lovely.

"Yeah." I said, her voice muffled by his arms.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course." I lied defensively.

"It'll be fine, i promise." He said reassuring me as he could always see through me and my lies like glass...

I bet that's what Grandma and Grandpa said to Mum and look what happened to her... I thought grimly. I knew I could never have said that, we always tried to avoid talking about my mother and father would be crushed if I said anything harsh like that.

My little sister Robin walked into the room, her curly light brown hair swinging as she walked; she was wearing her ragged jeans and ill-fitting hand-me-down top which I had grown out of not long ago so it is large and unflattering. She was only 13 making her 6 years younger than me but she was still remarkably mature often more so than me sometimes.

"Happy Birthday!" She said smiling sweetly at me, In a way that could melt even the coldest heart, then she rushed to my said and gave me a hug.

My father squeezed her shoulder and stood up

"Are you going already?" Robin asked looking sadder already, i scooped her up and help her above my head like a trophy, Robin giggled immediately and posed like superman, a superhero the school had taught her about in ancient history class. I found it amusing that these people were considered super here's so long ago whilst now, most people have one of their abilities anyway but i wouldn't be the one to burst her bubble.

"Yes I'm sorry, good luck Phoenix, I'm sure you'll be fine. I love you darling." My father said in his usual blunt manner, he smiled softly at us; he was about to head out to the mines and for all we knew, it could be one of the last times I saw him. I ran towards him and gave him a tight hug, acting on that solitary thought.